rain

[PICTURE: View of the stage through the umbrellas]

Clockenflap. What a name. I first heard of this festival back in September, when the legendary Die Antwoord were down as headliners. Now, if you’ve never heard of Die Antwoord, I’m tempted to say, don’t go in search of them. Please. Nana, Gran, or anyone else, please do not listen to their music or, heavens forbid, do not watch their music videos. Just know that they’re a really weird messed up music group from South Africa that have a cult following. They also made an appearance in the movie Chappie, which, I think is the only suitable place for you guys to whiteness them. So, when I heard that these crazy b*stards were playing the festival, I stored it away on my list of things to do: book tickets to Clockenflap 2016.

Candice knows of the band, she knows them more than most I’ve met, and even introduced me to them in a way. So she was my first port of call when thinking about a festival buddy. But, unfortunately, due to work etc. as the weekend came flying into view, we realised it wasn’t going to be possible for her to make the trip. Plus, tragically, Die Antwoord pulled out of playing the festival for unknown reasons. [Rumours are they’re in the process of making a new album.] With crazy work and my new life here I slowly forgot about the name Clockenflap (hard to do…) and went about my normal life. That was until, Nick, a Kiwi in my grade, mentioned in passing that he would be requiring a morning of “sick leave” on Monday 27th November. Please bear in mind that he stated this at the end of October. With a sheepish look on his face, and a sweeping hand motion that asked us to move on the conversation, I held him back after the meeting and asked what fun “sick leave” inducing activities he Continue reading →

[Photo taken at The Great Wall of China, Feb 2016
- reminding me what blue skies look like]

Today I’m afraid, this isn’t the most exciting blog post (I apologise for that now), and it isn’t directly linked to the Prompt-a-day, although it could I guess [ Simplicity], but after doing some more packing, watching a number of films while marooned on the sofa, I still felt good about my bike ride through the storm, so wanted to make note of it…

Here in Suzhou it is hot, muggy but somehow dull and bright all at the same time. Makes no sense right? After going for brunch with Leah at the lovely Miss Pancake this morning, binge watching some New Girl and Game of Thrones, it was finally time for me to get on my bike, literally, ride to school, and test the 5k route that the geography teacher had made up for the Race for Life event tomorrow. I put on my exercise leggings and a vest top ready to tackle the heat, and made my way out of the apartment complex all prepped with water, music, and map. I made it two streets over and that was when I felt the first little spittle of rain fall down from the grey sky above, and land on my bare arm. I sat waiting for the Continue reading →